Mavis Staples - Live: Hope at the Hideout

Epitaph
Published November 13, 2008  by Kenna Burima in CD Reviews

From the woman who inspired a generation and performed some of the world’s most well-known freedom songs comes a live reminder of why the world still needs her. Live: Hope at the Hideout is not only timely in the wake of the American presidential election, but also an important reminder that we are not in a time of “post-race,” no matter how many pundits tell us we’ve moved past our prejudices. It’s been over 30 years since her family band, The Staple Singers, topped the charts with “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There,” but Staples hasn’t lost any of her vocal strength and stage dynamism, which is in full force for this live record. Freedom songs still make a strong appearance, with “We Shall Not be Moved," "Down in Mississippi," "Freedom Highway" and "Eyes on the Prize" all presented in a stripped-down, raw and swampy sound that harkens back to the time when soul and gospel reigned supreme as the sound of the people.



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